A Future in Him

He came with his father. Sitting upright and looking intently into my eyes, he introduced himself matter-of-factly. As his father spoke about the challenges his 17-year-old son faced in making friends, maintaining relationships and controlling his temper, the boy fidgeted and appeared uncomfortable.

It was clear that some of these struggles aligned with features along the autism spectrum, while other were related to the transition to adulthood - a period filled with anxiety, uncertainty and fear. The father expressed his concerns towards his son’s adjustment to adult world and felt lost regarding his future.

Studying in a mainstream Band 1 school, the boy was set to take the DSE in three months. The family feared his academic performance would not be sufficient for university admission. It was to no surprise that he found it meaningless to open a textbook and made up excuses to avoid school; while his peers were all about studies and exams, he spent hours on his mobile and computer. Any mention from his parents urging him to study triggered his annoyance, often resulting in temper outbursts.

He was encouraged to talk about what he had been working on his computer. He elaborated on a drawing program that allowed him to create interior designs. His father, showing mild agitation, interrupted and asserted that good academic performance was prerequisite to get into art/design programs. They were asked to look up information on design programs in Hong Kong and abroad.

In subsequent sessions, the discussions centered on design programs as the boy and his father explored various requirements and potential career paths. They were often seen separately to allow genuine reflections and goal settings. The father noticed that his son was more open to talk about his interests and began to accept his son’s strengths and limitations. Gradually, the boy developed a higher tolerance for his emotions, learning to manage his frustration as his passion was acknowledged and he picked up stress coping skills. The father remarked, “I can finally see a glimpse of a future in him”.

By Dr. Germaine Fung 馮靜雯博士